“The Message”: Grandmaster Flash’s Pioneering Album
The roots of hip hop are complex. But there’s no denying that, with “The Message,” Grandmaster Flash really put it on the map.
Nile Rodgers: A (Deep) Appreciation
Nile Rodgers has been intertwined with some of the biggest hits of the last 40 years. How did it happen? And what if he hadn’t taken them on?
How Parliament and Funkadelic Brought the 70s to A Freaky Climax
In 1979, Parliament and Funkadelic released two projects that helped close out the 70s– and usher in the era of rap and hip hop.
Brian Wilson Does…Rap?
The genius of Brian Wilson is far from the first thing you think of when you think of rap and hip-hop. But yes, he gave it a shot.
Gangsters in Music: From Doo-Wop to Hip-Hop
From the earliest days of rock n roll, a lot of the most popular artists were made, um, “offers they couldn’t refuse.”